🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Saranac Lake, NY

A Deep Dive into Your Area’s STR Updates — Helping You Navigate the Ever-Changing Rental Landscape.

Saranac Lake Takes Another Step to Regulate Short-Term Rentals

Saranac Lake’s short-term rental (STR) landscape is getting a refresh. The village board of trustees has officially passed a set of amendments to the STR regulations introduced back in 2023.

The driving force behind the changes? Concerns about a shrinking housing market. Locals like business owner Doug Haney have been vocal about the impact of outside investors snapping up homes for STR use, leaving fewer options for full-time residents.

“When that family or when that young couple is ready to take that step into home-ownership... there simply isn’t anything on the market that exists for them to do that,” Haney said.

So, what’s new in the STR rulebook? For starters, permit applicants may soon have to prove their primary residence is within the village limits. Another major change: no two STRs can be located within 200 feet of each other—a move designed to prevent entire neighborhoods from being overwhelmed by short-term guests.

Village trustee Kelly Brunette says these updates are about clarity and fairness.

“We’ve based these changes on experience, feedback from the community, and the original intent to protect neighborhood character while allowing responsible STR operation,” she said.

The refined rules aim to support STR operators while preserving housing for year-round residents. Brunette emphasizes the importance of transparency, safety, and fairness in Saranac Lake’s STR market.

But not everyone’s convinced these tweaks will be enough. Haney, while acknowledging the value of the changes, has launched a petition urging the village to consider turning a vacant elementary school building on Petrova Avenue into much-needed housing. The property is currently under review as a possible location for a new emergency services facility, but Haney argues that the housing shortage should also be a priority. “A solution that makes the best possible outcome for all parties, for the community as a whole,” he said.

For now, Saranac Lake continues to navigate the tricky balance of welcoming visitors while keeping homes available for the folks who call it home year-round. The conversation is far from over, so stay tuned!

STRisker Calendar Tracker

Staying ahead of STR regulations isn’t just about deadlines—it’s about knowing what’s coming. Our Calendar Tracker keeps you informed on upcoming meetings, key votes, and policy changes, so you never miss a critical update.

Start Your Free Trial

👍 We’d love your feedback.
We're always looking for ways to improve Bulletins.

Was this one useful to you? Other topics you'd like to see get covered?

✉️ Just reply directly to this email. We read and respond to every message!

-Will McClure
🙋 P.S.
Know someone else who should be reading this Bulletin? Feel free to forward this along. We want to make sure operators and stakeholders are aware of regulatory changes in their area.